This post will act as FAQ for Uninagari – an online Indian language Unicode typewriter, that has existed on this site for a couple of years, and has now expanded to include more keyboard options and more languages. At this time, it supports Devanagari (Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit, Nepali, Maithili, Konkani, Dogri, Sindhi, Kashmiri, etc.), Gurumukhi (Panjabi, Kashmiri, Sindhi, etc.) and Nastaliq (Urdu). Very soon, I will add some more Indian languages. (Update December-08: Now Uninagari supports Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu) If you use Uninagari and have a question, please go through the following FAQ, and if your question is not covered, leave a comment at the end of this post.

1. What is Uninagari?
It is a simple, no-frills typewriter that enables you to type in some Indian languages, using Unicode fonts. You can type your words, sentences, paragraphs in the text box provided and can copy it (Ctrl+C) and paste it (Ctrl+V) to your document (word-processor, email, presentation software, graphics software, whatever) as long as it supports Unicode. Uninagari is a simple text editor and will not allow any text formatting (bold, italic, font size change). You can apply all formatting in the destination document.

2. How are the keyboard layouts arranged?
The keyboard layouts either follow an established standard keyboard, or are semi-phonetic. By semi-phonetic, I mean that as far as possible, characters are assigned to their nearest phonetic equivalent in Roman script. Second preference has been given to tha shape of the character. Look at the keyboard graphic for details.

3. I am already used to a typewriter layout. What is there for me?
Devanagari typewriter has the option of three more keyboard layouts – Inscript, Remington and Shusha. Even if you are a beginner typing devanagari and will be typing more in future, I recommend getting used to Inscript layout. It is great for touch-typing. Uninagari editors for languages other than Hindi support only one keyboard layout.

4. Why should I use Uninagari, when my operating system has IME (Input Method Editors), and other editors are available?
When you have access to other editors, obviously you don’t need to use Uninagari. Uninagari has been found to be most useful when you are working on a computer not your own, where you don’t have permission or time to install anything. It is also a great tool for beginners in Indian language typing. My recommendation is to graduate to IME as soon as possible. To set up Indic IME on your read this article.

5. I want to use Uninagari offline/download it for my personal use.
This tool basically fills the need for online typing. There are other better tools for offline typing. However, I will make Uninagari available for download very soon.

6. How do I type half characters and conjunct characters (devanagari)?
Half characters and conjunct characters are not assigned to separate keys in Uninagari. Add a halant ( key in default layout) to create a half character, e.g. क+्+य+ा=क्या. Similarly ज्ञ can be obtained by typig ज+्+ञ.

my laptop does not support uninagari…while my office computer does. Uninagari keyboard appears on the screen but when i type it..it types only english..no hindi no punjabi or gujarati..what is the problem sir?

I have done some trial writing with unicode with unexpected & amazing results.
1. How the speed can be increased. The copy paste option in word needs an intermediate transfer. Can you avoid that?
2. Conceptually I had been contemplating to make use of the Roman-latin script in writing in kashmiri/hindi on a one to one character basis. Then select the Roman-latin write up by the hindi&/or font and get the nagari version – in a straight translation, because the original is in hindi/kashmiri language.
3. I observed that you are Raman Kaul who created the lalded script font. That makes me believe that you are the best person to do so.
Thanks.
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You did a wonderful job. This is a great site. Thanks a lot. Could you please guide me how to type shrignesh (to start) and shagird (pupil). I am finding difficulity to write SHRI and RI on a letter (as RI in SHAGIRD. Thanks a lot.